::lurker Q about daycare/montessori Qs to ask::

BzeetyD · August 2013

Oh gosh I can't even believe I'm typing this...

We have a tour with a daycare/montessori program tomorrow AM for our (hopefully) eventual Feb '14 bean. I have a list of questions that I'm interested in but was wondering if you lovely ladies with all your SAIF experience have any lists of Qs or tips for us. I'm sure there are a lot of things we haven't thought about and I'm looking for some wisdom and sage advice.

Specifics, if they matter, - it's an all day program. 6w to 16mo, we'll likely be placing bean there between 12 and 16 weeks (they have an opening in June of 2014).

Thanks! And shy hellos to friends, supporter and pals.

mcgeeva · August 2013

My only advice is ask about things that are super important to you. For example if it's important to have your baby on a schedule and for you to know exactly when the baby slept, ate and how much and played I would ask if they keep records like that daily for you to see when you pick your baby up. Not all daycares do this..which is why I would ask. I would also ask about the policy for picking up late, how much they charge, what their procedure it because if you work full time like me far from home you never know what could happen. I'm sure they will tell you the basics, number or kid to adults etc. Also if they don't mention it which most all places will, make sure all baby stuff is labeled so their is no confusion with milk or anything. Good luck!!!

mnj05 · August 2013

No advice because we went off of recommendations, but I'm so happy to see you venture this way! I've been watching your updates (not a creeper promise!) and I'm just over the moon for you!

mdiblasi10 · August 2013

Grayson has been at two Montessori schools since January. He started at 5 months old and we switched to a new Montessori at 11 months old. I agree with @mcgeeva - definitely ask about things you feel are important to you. One thing that I learned was that I didn't think of a lot of things until Grayson was older and became more mobile. Some examples: He has always loved to be outside, when he was standing and learning to walk, and even now, he loves to push things around the room, he loves sensory activities (water, paint, shaving cream, etc) and he needs lots of room to explore as he is very active, curious and adventurous. His first daycare was great (loved the teachers!) for when he was a baby baby - just laying on the floor, playing with a few toys, etc. but for his age range it was a small room, they didn't go outside, didn't have push toys or sensory activities. But like your Montessori, they stay in the same room until a year, 16 months and even 18 months at G's new place, so sometimes you have to think about the future when checking out potential daycares.

That is one thing I wish someone had shared with me so I could have found his new place from the beginning and avoided a new adjustment period to his new teachers. So I am sharing with you in hopes that it helps you and your LO

Good luck and can't wait to see you here!

BzeetyD · August 2013

mdiblasi10 said:

Grayson has been at two Montessori schools since January. He started at 5 months old and we switched to a new Montessori at 11 months old. I agree with @mcgeeva - definitely ask about things you feel are important to you. One thing that I learned was that I didn't think of a lot of things until Grayson was older and became more mobile. Some examples: He has always loved to be outside, when he was standing and learning to walk, and even now, he loves to push things around the room, he loves sensory activities (water, paint, shaving cream, etc) and he needs lots of room to explore as he is very active, curious and adventurous. His first daycare was great (loved the teachers!) for when he was a baby baby - just laying on the floor, playing with a few toys, etc. but for his age range it was a small room, they didn't go outside, didn't have push toys or sensory activities. But like your Montessori, they stay in the same room until a year, 16 months and even 18 months at G's new place, so sometimes you have to think about the future when checking out potential daycares.

That is one thing I wish someone had shared with me so I could have found his new place from the beginning and avoided a new adjustment period to his new teachers. So I am sharing with you in hopes that it helps you and your LO Good luck and can't wait to see you here!

Thanks! Yes. It's strange to even be asking about daycares/montessori let alone thinking about toddlerhood and beyond. So far we've really liked what we've seen from this place for all the age ranges. We'll see how it holds up. Outside/outdoors is a big love of ours too and we wanted a place with some outdoor space. I'll ask about the infants getting out.

BzeetyD · August 2013

mnj05 said:

No advice because we went off of recommendations, but I'm so happy to see you venture this way! I've been watching your updates (not a creeper promise!) and I'm just over the moon for you!

Awwww thanks! It's so unbelievable but it's finally starting to feel real. We're telling the wide world in the next couple weeks and that will be so strange. Excited to join you over here someday in the future!

TJ1979 · August 2013

Omg so excited to see you and hear your great news!!
One thing that was important to me was their emergency plan. One place we looked at, their plan was to take the kids to the fenced in backyard. Not enough room for the entire school, plus they could get trapped back there.
For me, it was a lot more about the feel. I could tell the minute I walked in the door if it was even an option. Trust your gut!

itsmevkb · August 2013

I agree with trust your gut. When we were considering places I just knew the ones that were immediately off the list vs ones I really liked.

One place we went said that they take the kids out everyday which I liked the idea of. I also asked questions about which days out of the year they are closed for holidays (like most are closed the day after Thanksgiving which is work day for me) and how they handled closing due to bad weather. Not sure where you live, but in Wisconsin that can be an issue.

We also looked down the road to what their pre-school programs were like since our thought was once we picked a place we didn't want to change later on.

BzeetyD · August 2013

itsmevkb said:

I agree with trust your gut. When we were considering places I just knew the ones that were immediately off the list vs ones I really liked.

One place we went said that they take the kids out everyday which I liked the idea of. I also asked questions about which days out of the year they are closed for holidays (like most are closed the day after Thanksgiving which is work day for me) and how they handled closing due to bad weather. Not sure where you live, but in Wisconsin that can be an issue.

We also looked down the road to what their pre-school programs were like since our thought was once we picked a place we didn't want to change later on.

Thanks! We're in MN, so very similar. I think the program we're looking at takes the kids out everyday that it's not below 20º, I'm hoping even the infants go out too. Looks like it from the site but I'll add that to the list!

jessica_gail2 · August 2013

Congrats!!

We just moved S from a crappy daycare to one we LOVE!

I would ask who the teacher will be (are there many or is there a main one). Find out about how much time you should expect baby to be held. Will they rock bean or will he or she have to self soothe all the time? How much time will bean be in a bouncer? What kind of security is there? (Our old one had NONE) What will you need to provide (wipes, diapers, etc)?

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